<<< 10th ANNIVERSARY POSTING >>>
Aside from the odd vacation, every day for the past 10 years, I have posted a vintage photo of Los Angeles. Today’s post is a very special one as it marks the 10th anniversary of the first time I did that. On November 8, 2012, I posted this photo (you can see it here) with the simple caption: “Los Angeles, New Year’s Eve. December 31, 1951” I gave no commentary, no context, no history, so let’s fix that. Here’s what I would say about this photo if today were the first time I posted it:
The lights of Los Angeles glow in the night sky as the city sees in the new year on December 31, 1951. These days, Los Angeles City Hall is dwarfed by nearby skyscrapers, but back when this photo was taken, it was—by law—the tallest building in LA. And it really shows in this photo where it’s all lit up. Even the Lindbergh Beacon at the very top was shining that night.
By the way, if you’d like to explore the early photos I posted, you can go here and click on the link at the top right hand corner to see each of the previous 3,350 photos I’ve come across during my excursions researching for my historical novels that take place during the Hollywood studio system.
Wow!! Congratulations and thank you. You’ve brightened up my mornings!
Thanks so much, Mary!
Kudos! And thank you so much.
Thanks, Bill
Great choice for that first image. At the time the photo was taken, everyone was trying to “silent night” that whole Bloody Christmas episode. You heard it here, off the record, on the QT, and very hush hush.
Wow! Thanks for all the hard work. You are a model of consistency. Count me as a fan.
Thanks, Deepy.
Congratulations on 10 years of work, Martin! That’s quite an achievement. Your postings and the community you’ve created bring a smile, a new fact, or additional intentions of historical research to my life everyday. My sincerest of thanks!
Thanks, NW! I’m glad you enjoy them!